The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-26
MODERN SYRACUSE.
What Is Left of a Once Famous and Power,
full Sicilian CITY.

what Is Left of a Once Famous and Power.
full Sicilian City.
1t IS somewhat of relief to reach
Syracuse after the crowds, and beg.
gars, and smells, and dirt of thaathei
Slcilian towns; moreover, Syracuse is
one Of the very few places of which the
ideal, formed perhaps in years lone
past, is realized. We look for quiet,
and stagnation, and sunshine, and y
mellow air of antiquity, and we find
them. If we were to find Syracuse a
busy, bustling port, or wretched,
hopelessly decayed place, we should be
disappointed; we expect to find Just
enough animation to make it cheerful,
and just enough quiet to remind Us OF
its ancient associations, and we are
gratifed.
One fact, however, does amaze Us,
and that is to see how little is left of a
city which once consisted of five different
towns, of which the circumference was
twenty-five miles, and which at its zenith
could muster half Il million of inhabi-
tants. Indeed, all Syracuse, ancient
and modern, can be conveniently ex-
plored in the interval occupied by the
Rubattino steamers in discharging and
taking cargo. although the conscientious
antiquary could spend month in the
country around, which is the site of the
remainder of the ancient city.
Immediately upon landing we are inn
pressed with the character of modern
Syracuse. At any other Italian port
we should almost be torn to pieces by
natives eager to relieve us of our bag.
gage or to drive us anywhere. But at
Syracuse we have actually to call for a
porter, not from any lack of mentor
all along the quay, big enough for a
port with five times the commerce o.
Syracuse, there are sturdy fellows loung-
ing, lying, sleeping, and, of course, spit
ting-but because it is evident that labor
is Il very secondary consideration in the
lives of the Syracusans, who, like the
Seaford boatmen, seem to get on toll
erably well without any visible means
of subsistence.
Modern Syracuse need not occupy us
long. There is pleasant esplanade
along the water-side Of the little har'.
Dor, whittier resort every afternoon the
gallantry, the beauty and fashion OF
Syracuse, to lounge under the trees, to
drive up and down in the most print.
tive of vehicles, and this esplanadc ter
inmates at the famous fountain of Are
thusa, for many years neglected and
employed as a laundry. now neatly
fenced-in pool in which fish glide and
ducks nestle under the shade of the
genuine papyrus. In the town which
clusters on the cliffs overlooking the
bay, there is little Of note 1t is an ex-
traordinary Italian town, inasmuch as
it is clean and provided with smaller
modicum than usual of stcnches, but
otherwise unremarkable. 1t has a
cathedral built on to the remains of a
temple of Minerva, which was once
famous for its splendid decoration and
its beautiful entrace, and more especial
ly for roof of gold which blazed in
the sunshine like u beacon to the ma
riner many leagues out at sea. The
sturdy pillars still remain engrafted
with the walls of the modern cathedral,
but nothing more We must take a
carriage to see the sights which lie in
land, for the dust on the roads is inches
deep; there is absolutely no shade, and
the Sicilian sun beats down mercilessly
from sky of eternal blue. Happily,
the ruins of ancient Syracuse, after
long years of neglect and vandalism,
are cared for, as are all monuments of
the mighty past, under the intelligent
and sympathetic regime of King Hum
bert, and Il Government guide, in re-
turn for frame fee, allows us to wan
der where we will.-L0adon Society,"